What is a typical 36′ Motor Yacht Max Travel Distance ?
Jun 23, 2009 in
Yacht Charters
I am planning to buy a 36' motor boat or small yacht, the ones I have seen have internal engines like a mercury 454.
I wonder if it is possible to safely cross the Atlantic in these yachts.
What is the maximum range or travel distance for these motor boats ?
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3 comments
Boatin' in VA! on June 23, 2009 at 10:30 am
The answer depends on the fuel capacity of the boat, the cruising speed and weather conditions.
I have a 33' cruiser with twin 454's. We only have a 180 gal fuel tank. We burn 24 gal per hour at approx 28-30 mph. This means we have approx 7.5 hours of running time. At 30 mph this means we can cover 225 miles. Now, if my math serves me correctly we are more than 225 miles from the European coast. Granted this could be cut down by boating up the east coast of the US and then over to Greenland and over to Ireland but I still think we'd hit a stretch where we would exceed the 225 miles and not find fuel.
A 36 will have approx the same size tank, maybe a little larger, but you're going to be burning the same, if not more, amount of gas so I'd be thinking a much larger yacht with a much larger fuel tank.
jason on June 23, 2009 at 10:30 am
As "Boatin' in VA" posted, you are not going to find ANY mid-30 foot boats with the type of engines/speed you describe that will get you anywhere even NEAR across, or even somewhere to get fuel, like Azores…most boats similar to what you describe will have max ranges of 400 miles or so at 5 kts.
You would have to look at designs like Grand Banks Trawlers, Nordic Tugs, or Nordhavn…the common denominator being they are lower speed, displacement/semi-displacement hulls with lower horsepower/fuel efficient diesels.
Check out the link to this 40 foot Nordavn; at 6 knots it has a range of 3,500 miles. It will give you an idea of the type of boat you'd have to look at if you wanted to make a crossing in a motor vessel.
http://www.nordhavn.com/40/overview.php4
Paul C on June 23, 2009 at 10:30 am
you may have space to customise your vessel, larger long range fuel tanks, more than 1 to spread out the weight, then again you may not have the space, but when buying best is to speak to a marine dealer, as which type would have the extra space. also Safe to cross the Atlantic: for you I would say no, just because you asked that question, but a sailor with many years experience should be able but it would not be easy. as the Atlantic is very unforgiving and the weather can change in a couple of hours and then where do you run, that is where yor sailing skills are. you do need a set of ba!!s to do it. best of luck in your search